Privacy Glossary

    Plain-language definitions for privacy and networking terms you'll encounter on TracelessNet.

    A

    ASN (Autonomous System Number)
    A unique identifier assigned to a network or group of IP addresses managed by a single organization, such as an ISP or large company. Your ASN reveals which network you're connected through.
    Check your ASN →

    B

    Browser Fingerprinting
    A tracking technique that collects unique details about your browser and device — such as screen resolution, installed fonts, and hardware specs — to create a digital ID. Unlike cookies, fingerprints work even in incognito mode.
    See your browser data →Read: Browser Fingerprinting Explained →

    C

    Color Depth
    The number of bits used to represent the color of a single pixel on your screen. A 24-bit color depth supports over 16 million colors. Websites can read this value, and it contributes to your browser fingerprint.
    Check your color depth →See your browser details →
    Canvas Fingerprinting
    A tracking technique that asks your browser to render hidden graphics on an HTML canvas, then hashes the result. Tiny differences in GPU, drivers, and fonts produce a near-unique signature used to identify you across sites — even without cookies.
    See your browser data →Read: What Is Canvas Fingerprinting? →
    Cookies
    Small text files stored in your browser by websites. They're used for session management, preferences, and tracking. First-party cookies come from the site you're visiting; third-party cookies come from external trackers.
    Check if cookies are enabled →Read: Does Clearing Cookies Stop Tracking? →

    D

    Device Pixel Ratio
    The ratio between physical pixels on your screen and CSS pixels used by your browser. A ratio of 2x (common on Retina displays) means each CSS pixel maps to 4 physical pixels, resulting in sharper visuals.
    Check your pixel ratio →
    Do Not Track (DNT)
    A browser setting that sends a signal to websites requesting they don't track your activity. However, compliance is voluntary — most websites ignore it entirely.
    Check your DNT setting →
    Dynamic IP Address
    An IP address that changes periodically, assigned by your ISP from a shared pool. Most home internet connections use dynamic IPs. Your address may change after a router restart or ISP lease renewal.
    Check your current IP →Read: Static vs Dynamic IPs →

    E

    Effective Connection Type
    A value exposed by the browser's Network Information API that summarizes your connection speed as 'slow-2g', '2g', '3g', or '4g'. The '4g' bucket includes 4G, 5G, fiber, and any faster link — browsers intentionally do not expose a separate 5G tier.
    Check your connection type →

    F

    First-Party Cookies
    Cookies set by the website you are directly visiting. They power core functionality like login sessions, language preferences, shopping carts, and security settings. Browsers generally allow them by default.
    Check if cookies are enabled →

    G

    Geolocation (IP-based)
    The process of estimating your physical location using your IP address. Databases map IP ranges to cities and regions. It's typically accurate to your city but not your exact address.
    See your IP location →Read: How Accurate Is IP Geolocation? →

    H

    Hardware Concurrency
    The number of logical CPU cores available to your browser, exposed via JavaScript. Websites use this to optimize performance, but it also serves as a fingerprinting data point.
    Check your CPU cores →
    HTTPS
    The secure version of HTTP that encrypts data between your browser and the website. It protects the content of your communication but does not hide your IP address or the domains you visit from your ISP.
    Read: Does HTTPS Hide Browsing from Your ISP? →

    I

    IP Address
    A unique numerical label assigned to your device when it connects to the internet. It tells websites where to send data and reveals your approximate location, ISP, and connection type.
    Check your IP address →Read: What Is an IP Address? →
    IPv4
    The fourth version of the Internet Protocol, using 32-bit addresses (e.g., 192.168.1.1). It supports about 4.3 billion unique addresses — a pool that is now nearly exhausted, which led to the development of IPv6.
    Check your IPv4 address →
    IPv6
    The sixth version of the Internet Protocol, using 128-bit addresses (e.g., 2001:0db8::7334). It supports a virtually unlimited number of devices and is gradually replacing IPv4 as the standard.
    Check your IPv6 address →Read: What Is IPv6? →
    IPv6 Leak
    When your real IPv6 address is exposed despite using a VPN that only tunnels IPv4 traffic. This can reveal your true location and identity to websites even while your IPv4 is masked.
    Test for IPv6 leaks →Read: What Is an IPv6 Leak? →
    ISP (Internet Service Provider)
    The company that provides your internet connection (e.g., Comcast, Vodafone, AT&T). Your ISP assigns your IP address and can see the domains you visit unless you use a VPN.
    See your ISP →

    N

    NAT (Network Address Translation)
    A technique that allows multiple devices on a local network to share a single public IP address. Common in home routers, NAT maps private internal IPs to one external IP for internet access.
    Check your public IP →
    Network Information API
    A browser API that exposes a coarse summary of your connection, including the effective connection type and downlink estimate. It intentionally omits fine-grained details to prevent fingerprinting and tracking.
    Check your network info →

    R

    Rendering Engine
    The core software component in a browser that interprets HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to display web pages. Examples include Blink (Chrome, Edge), Gecko (Firefox), and WebKit (Safari).
    See your rendering engine →

    S

    Screen Resolution
    The number of pixels your display can show, measured as width × height (e.g., 1920 × 1080). It affects how sharp content appears and is one of the data points websites use for fingerprinting.
    Check your screen resolution →
    Storage Partitioning
    A browser privacy mechanism that gives embedded third-party content its own isolated storage per top-level site, instead of fully blocking it. This breaks cross-site tracking while keeping embedded features working, but can make cookie tests report mixed results.
    Test third-party cookies →
    Static IP Address
    An IP address that stays the same every time you connect. Common for servers and business connections. Static IPs make it easier for others to locate and identify your device consistently.
    Check your current IP →Read: Static vs Dynamic IPs →

    T

    Third-Party Cookies
    Cookies set by a domain other than the site you are visiting — typically ad networks, analytics platforms, social widgets, or embedded videos. They enable cross-site tracking and are blocked by default in Safari, Firefox, and Brave.
    Test third-party cookies →
    Timezone
    Your device's local time zone, reported by your browser via JavaScript. Websites use it to display localized times, but it also reveals your approximate region — even if your IP suggests a different location.
    See your timezone →Check your browser timezone →

    U

    User Agent
    A text string your browser sends with every HTTP request, identifying your browser name, version, operating system, and device type. Websites use it to serve compatible content and for analytics.
    View your user agent →Read: What Is a User Agent? →

    V

    Viewport
    The visible area of a web page in your browser window. It's typically smaller than your screen resolution because of browser toolbars and the system taskbar. Websites use viewport size for responsive layouts.
    Check your viewport size →
    VPN (Virtual Private Network)
    A service that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a remote server, masking your real IP address and location. It prevents your ISP and websites from seeing your true identity.
    Check if your VPN is working →Read: VPN Myths Debunked →

    W

    WebRTC
    A browser technology that enables real-time audio, video, and data connections directly between devices, without a server in the middle. It powers video calls and peer-to-peer features — but can also expose your real IP address even behind a VPN.
    Check your IP for leaks →
    WebRTC Leak
    A vulnerability where your browser's WebRTC feature exposes your real IP address to websites, even when you're using a VPN. This occurs because WebRTC can bypass the VPN tunnel to establish peer-to-peer connections.
    Check your IP for leaks →

    Want to see these concepts in action?

    Use our free privacy tools to check what your connection and device reveal online.

    Check Your IP Address →